Consumer interest in social sustainability issues of whitefish from capture fisheries in the north‐east Atlantic

Capture fisheries in the north‐east Atlantic account for approximately 10% of all fish consumed from capture fisheries globally. The literature shows that consumers show considerable interest in social sustainability of products in general and of fish specifically. This interest, however, has not yet been investigated for fish from the north‐east Atlantic. The first objective of this study, therefore, was to investigate whether consumers are interested in social sustainability issues of whitefish from the north‐east Atlantic by determining preferences for four social sustainability issues with distinct benefits in relation to a known reference point (i.e. approach to overfishing). The second objective of this study was to determine to what degree case‐specific and general psychographic consumer characteristics explain preferences for these issues. Choice modelling results from an online survey among 457 Dutch consumers show that consumers have the strongest preference for the environmental sustainability issue approach to overfishing. In addition, results on the social sustainability issues showed that consumers prefer fish welfare over product quality, worker safety and local employment, indicating that in this case, consumers place animal benefits over personal, worker and community benefits. The case‐specific psychographic characteristic concern contributed most to explaining preferences for the environmental sustainability issue, whereas the general psychographic characteristic personal relevance contributed most to explaining preferences for the social sustainability issues. This result is likely explained by the principal focus on MSC certification in markets for fish products, which caused consumers to form opinions (e.g. concern) on overfishing, but not on social sustainability.     

Detection of post‐F1 fish hybrids in broodstock using molecular markers: approaches for genetic management in aquaculture

Herein, we have developed molecular markers for nuclear genes to use in multiplex‐PCR and PCR‐RFLP, with the goal of characterising hybrid lines derived from crosses between pintado Pseudoplatystoma corruscans and cachara P. reticulatum. These markers, together with others described previously, were used to perform molecular identification analyses as genetic subsidies for Brazilian aquaculture. These analyses were performed due to the problems of high mortality in the offspring reported by the aquaculturist. From a total of 16 broodstock samples, 13 were genetically identified as hybrids; surprisingly, nine of these hybrids were found to be post‐F1 lineages. These data show that the fertility of these animals can seriously affect the cultivated stocks, thus causing financial damage in this aquaculture system. The establishment of PCR‐RFLP and multiplex‐PCR as molecular techniques allows for both the correct management of these animals and the routine monitoring of production and trade of fish hybrids in aquaculture. Consequently, such tools will enable a sustainable development in the aquaculture industry.     

Degradation of simazine by microorganisms isolated from soils of Spanish olive fields

The capability of the microbial flora isolated from an olive field soil from Andalusia to mineralize simazine has been analyzed. From this soil, a group of bacteria capable of degrading 60 mg simazine litre(-1) in less than a week has been isolated. These microorganisms showed a low capacity for degrading this herbicide to carbon dioxide. When total DNA was isolated from this group of bacteria, we were able to detect by PCR the presence of only the atzC and the trzN genes. Some components of this bacterial population have been identified by sequencing of specific fragments from bacterial 16S rDNA, including Variovorax sp, Pseudoxanthomonas mexicana Thierry et al, Acidovorax sp and Methylopila capsulata Doronina et al. These data suggest that this consortium of bacteria performs an incomplete degradation of the simazine     

Effects of acepromazine and butorphanol on tiletamine-zolazepam anesthesia in llamas

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sedative, antinociceptive, and physiologic effects of acepromazine and butorphanol during tiletamine-zolazepam (TZ) anesthesia in llamas. ANIMALS: 5 young adult llamas. PROCEDURES: Llamas received each of 5 treatments IM (1-week intervals): A (acepromazine, 0.05 mg/kg), B1 (butorphanol, 0.1 mg/kg), AB (acepromazine, 0.05 mg/kg, and butorphanol, 0.1 mg/kg), B2 (butorphanol, 0.2 mg/kg), or C (saline [0.9% NaCl] solution). Sedation was evaluated during a 30-minute period prior to anesthesia with TZ (2 mg/kg, IM). Anesthesia and recovery characteristics and selected cardiorespiratory variables were recorded at intervals. Antinociception was assessed via a toe-clamp technique. RESULTS: Sedation was not evident following any treatment. Times to sternal and lateral recumbency did not differ among treatments. Duration of lateral recumbency was significantly longer for treatment AB than for treatment C. Duration of antinociception was significantly longer for treatments A and AB, compared with treatment C, and longer for treatment AB, compared with treatment B2. Treatment B1 resulted in a significant decrease in respiratory rate, compared with treatment C. Compared with treatment C, diastolic and mean blood pressures were lower after treatment A. Heart rate was increased with treatment A, compared with treatment B1 or treatment C. Although severe hypoxemia developed in llamas anesthetized with TZ alone and with each treatment-TZ combination, hemoglobin saturation remained high and the hypoxemia was not considered clinically important. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Sedation or changes in heart and respiratory rates were not detected with any treatment before administration of TZ. Acepromazine alone and acepromazine with butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg) prolonged the duration of antinociception in TZ-treated llamas.     

Zinc supplementation increases resistance to experimental infection by Trypanosoma cruzi

It is well recognized that zinc is an essential trace element for all organisms, influencing growth and affecting the development and integrity of the immune system. It is also well known that the protective response against Trypanosoma cruzi depends on both innate and acquired immunity and for the control of the parasite load and host survival, the participation of special cells such natural killer (NK), T and B lymphocytes and macrophages are required. So the aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of zinc supplementation on the host's immune response infected with T. cruzi. Our data point in the direction that zinc supplementation triggered enhanced thymocyte and splenocyte proliferation as compared to unsupplied group of animals. It is also important to emphasize that interleukin-12 (IL-12) participates in the resistance to several intracellular pathogens including T. cruzi. Our findings demonstrate an enhanced production of IL-12 during the acute phase of infection in zinc-supplied groups. So we conclude that zinc supplementation leads to an effective host's immune response by up-modulating the host's immune response, thus contributing in the reduction of blood parasites and the harmful pathogenic effects of the experimental Chagas’ disease.     

Genotypic Variation of Gas Exchange Parameters and Leaf Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopes in Ten Quinoa Cultivars Grown under Drought

Genotypic variations in leaf gas exchange and grain yield were analysed in 10 highland‐adapted quinoa cultivars grown in the field under drought conditions. Trials took place in an arid mountain region of the Northwest of Argentina (Encalilla, Amaicha del Valle, 22°31′S, 65°59′W). Significant changes in leaf gas exchange and grain yield among cultivars were observed. Our data demonstrate that leaf stomatal conductance to water vapour (g_s) is a major determinant of net CO₂ assimilation (A_n) because quinoa cultivars with inherently higher g_s were capable of keeping higher photosynthesis rate. Aboveground dry mass and grain yield significantly varied among cultivars. Significant variations also occurred in chlorophyll, N and P content, photosynthetic nitrogen‐use efficiency (PNUE), specific leaf area (SLA), intrinsic water‐use efficiency (_iWUE) and carboxylation capacity (A_n/C_i). Many cultivars gave promissory grain yields with values higher than 2000 kg ha^?1, reaching for Sayaña cultivar 3855 kg ha^?1. Overall, these data indicate that cultivars, which showed higher photosynthesis and conductances, were also generally more productive. Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) was positively correlated with the grain yield and negatively with _iWUE, but δ¹⁵N did not show significant correlations. This study provides a reliable measure of specific responses of quinoa cultivars to drought and it may be valuable in breeding programmes.     

Relation of Toxicity in Corn Seeds Treated with Zinc and Salicylic Acid

The beneficial effect of corn seed treatment with zinc (Zn) is directly related to the source used. The excess of this micronutrient causes seedling stress and reduces growth. Thus, assuming that the use of exogenous phytohormones can minimize such effects, we evaluated different doses and sources of Zn for the treatment of maize seeds with or without salicylic acid. The experiment took place in the laboratory, and two factorial experiments, 2 × 4 + 1, were performed in a randomized design. The seeds were treated with either ZnO or ZnSO₄ at doses of 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 g.kg^?1 seed with four replications, differing only by the addition of 4.14 mg L^?1 salicylic acid. Treating seeds with Zn and salicylic acid did not affect germination. ZnO led to a greater increase in dry mass in corn seedlings as compared with zinc sulfate, especially at higher doses (2 and 3 g kg^?1 seed). Seed treatment with sulfate reduces root and shoot length, and salicylic acid did not attenuate this toxic effect. Dry mass is not affected when oxide is used. Salicylic acid reduces the accumulation of zinc in the treatment of corn seeds, regardless of the source used.